The Online OPEN ENROLLMENT Certificate in School Nutrition and Wellness has been designed to help counteract the high rates of overweight and obesity among America's children and adolescents. Effective health and nutrition education and school wellness policies will be critical for reversing this serious problem. The health status of America’s youth will directly impact our nation's health care system, available labor pool, and national priorities for years to come.

This Certificate program is appropriate for anyone concerned with child health and education including:

Registered Dietitians/Dietetic Technicians-Registered

School Administrators

Teachers

Health Educators

Nutritionists

Nurses

Allied Health/Medical and Fitness Professionals

Food Service Providers

Caregivers

PTA Members

Parents

With the knowledge gained through this program, participants will feel confident leading or participating in effective wellness committees, modeling optimal eating behaviors, and making your school and community environment healthy and positive.

This course provides background on government nutrition programs for children, and the political and budget constraints that have hindered advancement in nutritional science. It also provides knowledge about the foods served at school and why vending machines and junk food have become staples at many schools. Finally, the course looks at the parental, community, marketing, and school-based influences on childhood nutrition.

This course will look at the changing food environment in the U.S., including Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, changes in the school lunch program, and examines school gardens as well as the organic and green movement. It will discuss the three steps to successful nutrition education and ideas for incorporating nutrition and fitness education into the school day. It will ask participants to think creatively about the best ways to reach kids through positive food, fitness and health behaviors.